10 Great Family Video Games And Their Crucial Age Ratings (2024)

Finding the best games for your family can take a bit of hunting around, particularly if youtake the ESRB ratings seriously. To save you that time, this is a run down of the top games we're still playing in our household with some notes on the ratings and ideal age ranges.

Fortnite: Teen 13+

Fortnite is rated as suitable for children 13 years old and up. Although younger childrenwill likely play the game it's important for parents to understand the rating before handing the controller over.

It's rated for 13+ because of the game's Violence. The ESRB states that "from a third-person perspective, players use guns, swords, and grenades to fight skeleton-like monsters (husks) in ranged and melee-style combat. Players can also defeat enemies by using various traps (e.g., electric, spikes, poisonous gas). Battles are highlighted by frequent gunfire, explosions, and cries of pain".

Some children will be more comfortable with this violent aspect of the game than others.Playing the game together with your child if you are in doubt is a good idea. Also note that online interactions with strangers are possible via text chat and headsets. It's also worth checkingthat you have a password setup for any associated credit cards as Fortniteincentivises in-game purchases for outfits and the like.

Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze: E for Everyone

This game has been around for a while on the Wii U and 3DS. It's now coming to the Switch with some enhancements for younger players. This broadens the appeal and makes it a good choice for families with childrenthat are a range of ages.

It's rated as suitable for Everyone and only flagsMild Cartoon Violence. The ESRB states that"Players traverse jungle levels and use a ground pound and jumping moves to defeat whimsical enemies (e.g., penguins, birds, giant insects). Enemies cry out and disappear in puffs of smoke when defeated. More protracted boss battles depict brief explosions from cartoony bombs".

This is a game that works well for children of all ages. It's also ideal to play in the co-operative two player mode with parents and children helping each other.

Splatoon 2: E10

With the increased interest in shooting games from the likes of Fortnite, Splatoon 2 offers an excellent non-violent alternative with its ink-based gun play. Whether on the Wii U in its original incarnation or on Switch this is well worth seeking out if you are not ready for kids to graduate to more mature shooting games.

It's rated as suitable for those 10 and over forCartoon Violence. The ESRB states that players "use paint guns, ink bombs, paint rollers, and inkzookas to attack enemy tentacles and boss creatures. Battles can be frenetic with realistic gunfire and brief cries of pain. A handful of sequences allow players to use a cannon turret to fire paint blobs at enemies."

What's great about Splatoon is that it grows with the player.Although it has a non-violent edge to it,the level of exuberance and competition is just as intense as a game like Fortnite. What's more the motion controls make it easier for a wider audience to take part -- particularly if parents haven't grown up with twin-stick aiming.

Overwatch Legendary: Teen 13+

Overwatch is another hugely popular shooting game aimed at a wide range of ages. The different characters each offer a range of abilities and players hone their skills getting to grips with particular ones.

It's rated as suitable for those 13 and overforBlood, Use of Tobacco and Violence. The ESRB state that "Players use a variety of firearms (e.g., pistols, machine guns), arrows, and futuristic weapons (e.g., laser blasters) to attack enemies in team combat objectives. Combat is frenetic with realistic gunfire, cries of pain, and explosions. Splashes of blood briefly appear with each successful hit. One character is depicted smoking a cigar."

This is all useful information and parents can get a full appreciation of the context for this content by trying the game out for themselves. In out family we often take turns on Overwatch to see how each of us is progressing.

Frantics: E for Everyone

Frantics is another of the excellent Playlink games on the PS4. These games all use your smartphone or tablets to control them in clever and unusual ways. Franticsis a party game where you control clay animals through a variety of mini-games. Mini-games include racing spaceships, parachuting while collecting coins, and attempting to push opponents off an icy island.

Frantics is rated as suitable for everyone 10 and over.The ESRB states, "A few mini-games allow players to engage in “cartoony” instances of violence: anvils falling on clay characters; dynamite exploding in a "hot potato" game; over-sized boxing gloves punching characters."

The novel interactions and well pitched challenges make Frantics a great game for the whole family. If you enjoy this be sure to check outKnowledge is Power and That's You!

Roblox: E10

Roblox is one of a new breed of video game. It's a platform on which novice game-makers create online gaming experiences. Because of this, the range of game modes and options are always changing and growing.

It's rated for children 10 and over. This may surprise some parents who have younger kids keen to play. But it's worth paying attention to the rating which is forFantasy Violence. The ESRB highlights the "possible exposure to unfiltered/uncensored user-generated content, including user-to-user interactions and media sharing via social media and networks".

Setting theRestricted Mode on player's profile via the Roblox website is a good way to limit the games they can play to a safer list. As always, playing online games together with your children is also a good way to mitigate risks.

Arms E10

Arms is an unusual fighting game on the Nintendo Switch.Players use the Joy-Con motion controllers in a fantasy boxing match.

It's rates for children 10 and older for Cartoon Violence. The ESRB state that "Characters use their spring arms to punch and swat opponents in an attempt to deplete their health meters. Players can engage in one-on-one battles as well as multiplayer arena events, tag-team fights, target practice, and volleyball with an oversized cartoony bomb. Battles are highlighted by explosions and light effects, as well as short cries of pain".

Although it is very cartoony there is a real sense of crunching impact to the blows, but no blood or long lasting damage to the players. It's really good fun and when using the motion controllers is a great way to get children up and active.

Destiny2: Teen 13+

Destiny 2 isa first-person shooting game where you defend humanity against an alien force. In the online world, players travel across futuristic landscapes and planets to battle a horde of alien creatures.

It's rated as suitable for children 13 years and older for Blood, Language and Violence. The ESRB state that "Players use pistols, machine guns, rocket launchers, and various elemental weapons (e.g., flame sword, lightning staff) to kill enemies." They also highlight that "characters get shot, electrocuted, and strangled. Splashes of red blood occasionally appear on the screen when players are injured, and some creatures emit splashes of black liquid when killed. The word 'a*shole' is heard in the dialogue".

Although this violence should be taken seriously for younger players, it is not gratuitous and serves to create a grand space drama. It's this sense of scale, rather than any blood or gore that attracts players. It's highlycompetitive and a great game for parents and children to explore together.

Onrush: E10

Onrush is a racing game with a difference. Players compete to become the champion of an off-road racing championship withnot only cars but ATVs, motorcycles and other vehicles.

It's rated as suitable for children 10 and older forMild Violence. The ESRB state that "Players are encouraged to crash their vehicles into opponents and “fodder” vehicles in order to gain boost power. Some crashes are replayed with slow-motion effects, while motorcyclists can often be seen flying off their bikes".

This vehicle based combat is more suited to a younger audience as the age rating suggests. The slow motion replays of crashes can be a bit crunching but generally things are kept light and fun. It's a little like the old Burnout series.

Yoku's Island Express: E10

Yoku's Island Express isa beautiful lookingplatform adventure where youtake on therole of Yoku and explores a network of caves. By running and jumping players can collect special items, and engage in battles with fantastical enemies. In many ways it's like a nextgeneration version ofpinball and a lot of fun.

It's rated for children 10 and over forAnimated Blood, Crude Humor and Fantasy Violence. The ESRB states "Enemy bosses and monsters cry out in pain when struck, and one boss emits splashes of yellow when hit/defeated. One scene depicts Yoku rolling a ball of dung, and another shows a brown poo coil surrounded by flies".

Although the crude humor won't be to all families tastes, youngsters will enjoy the exuberant fun and toilet jokes.